Adoption of Organophosphate Alternatives in Washington Apple IPM Programs: Survey Evidence From Pest Management Consultants and Growers

Azinphos-methyl (AZM) has been the primary insecticide used to fight codling moth ( Cydia pomonella L.) in apple production in the United States since the late 1960s. In 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency decided to phase out AZM over a 6-year period. This regulatory action sparked educational efforts at Washington State University to promote organophosphate (OP) alternatives within apple integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Drawing on the diffusion of innovations framework and surveys of Washington State pest management consultants and apple growers, we explore trends in the recommendation and use of OP insecticides, OP alternatives, and IPM practices for codling moth management. The transition prompted by the AZM phaseout consisted of a switch from OP insecticides to OP alternatives within existing IPM programs without major change in the use of IPM practices themselves. We also discuss the importance of innovation-decision type (authority vs. optional), perceived innovation characteristics, communication channels, and change agents' promotion efforts in the adoption and diffusion of OP alternatives within apple IPM programs. This case study illustrates how multiple drivers (regulatory, technological, and educational) can lead to widespread industry change and how educational outreach programs seeking to influence adoption behavior can benefit from an understanding of preferred communication channels and perceptions of innovation attributes.